Physical examination for exclusion of hemodynamically important right ventricular infarction

Fifty-three consecutive patients with inferior myocardial infarction were evaluated prospectively, by physical examination and right heart catheterization within 36 hours of the onset of symptoms, to determine whether physical findings can separate such patients into those with and without associated right ventricular infarction. Hemodynamic findings consistent with right ventricular infarction were defined as right atrial pressure of 10 mm Hg or greater and a right atrial: pulmonary artery wedge pressure ratio of 0.80 or greater. Eight patients (Group 1) had hemodynamic evidence of right ventricular infarction, whereas 45 patients (Group 2) did not meet these criteria. Group 1, compared with Group 2, had a lower cardiac index (1.8 +/- 0.3 versus 2.6 +/- 0.6 L/min X m2, p less than 0.001), and a lower right ventricular stroke work index (4.1 +/- 3.6 versus 7.3 +/- 3.2 g X m/m2, p less than 0.05). An elevated jugular venous pressure of 8 cm H2O or more was seen in 7 of 8 Group 1 and 14 of 45 Group 2 patients (p less than 0.01). In addition, a Kussmaul's sign, substantiated by hemodynamic findings, was seen in all 8 Group 1 and in no Group 2 patients (p less than 0.001). The absence of both an elevated jugular venous pressure and a Kussmaul's sign in patients with inferior myocardial infarction makes the presence of a hemodynamically significant right ventricular infarction highly unlikely.